Even though LSU took home a win over Grambling State last Saturday (Dec. 1), there are plenty of improvements to be made for the Tigers.

Especially over the holiday break.

The eight days in between games allowed LSU to take a deeper look at issues that have been plaguing the Tigers. Three of which, for coach Will Wade, have been turnovers, transition defense and rebounding.

LSU has averaged 14.1 turnovers per game, with sophomore point guard Tremont Waters giving up six turnovers in each of LSU’s last three games. Those 14 turnovers per contest are tenth in the SEC and 223rd out of 351 teams nationwide.

Wade has harped on LSU’s defense since before the season began. LSU averages 37.1 total rebounds per game, good for 11th in the SEC. The Tigers average 12.3 offensive boards a contest, ranking No. 6 in the SEC. LSU is nearly last in the conference, though, in defensive rebounds per game, with an average of 24.9 per game.

There’s a sliver of hope for Wade, as he said his teams have historically made large strides over the holiday break.

“Typically we’ve made the right adjustments and that better be the case with this group,” Wade said.

LSU plays two tough opponents on the road next week — Houston and St. Mary’s — before returning home to host No. 25 Furman.

But first up, the Cardinals of Incarnate Word.

Scouting Incarnate Word

Coach: Carson Cunningham (1st season)

2018 record: 5-5

Last game: 82-57 win over Trinity

Preseason: Picked to finish last in Southland Conference

Common opponents: 0

Last year: 7-21

All-time record: First meeting

Game contract: Incarnate Word receives $85,000 for the game.

LSU will likely keep the same starting lineup of Tremont Waters, Skylar Mays, Ja’vonte Smart, Darius Days and Kavell Bigby-Williams for the Cardinals.

Taylor is on the floor for most games, averaging 33.6 minutes per contest. He also takes more shots than any other Cardinal on the floor, averaging 13.4 points per game. The freshman averages 3.1 rebounds per game and three assists per contest. In Incarnate Word’s 10 games, he’s racked up 11 steals, too.

Peevy isn’t on the floor for long, averaging 20.2 minutes per game, but he makes the most of his minutes. The sophomore averages a team-high 13.8 points per game while shooting 58.7 percent from the floor. He’s consistent from the free throw line too, making 50-of-55 shots from the charity stripe for 90.9 percent. He also averages four rebounds per game, too.

In Incarnate Word’s last two games, Peevy has been on a hot streak. He played 36 minutes against SIUE and 33 minutes against Trinity. He scored 55 points combined, 32 against SIUE and 23 against Trinity, and put up 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the year against Trinity.

Spectators can get into the game on Sunday for free with a new, unwrapped toy for Toys For Tots.

Fans in attendance might notice how the LSU and Incarnate Word staffs will be wearing green ties, as well as other green accents to raise awareness for Coaching for Literacy.

Fans can make a flat donation or donate for each assist the Tigers record over a four game stretch from December 9 - December 21. Donations are accepted at: www.pledgeit.org/tigersforliteracy.

Kent Lowe, LSU’s basketball sports information director, made the pitch for the assist donation in front of attendees at Wade’s monthly tipoff luncheon at L’Auberge on Thursday (Dec. 6).

When Wade took the podium moments later, he said, "Kent, I’m afraid you’d be bankrupt if you had to write a check for turnovers,” Wade said with a laugh. “… Your paycheck would come out negative. We’re working on fixing that.”

LSU hopes to have those turnovers, as well as several other things, fixed by tipoff on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the PMAC.